FAQ

Learn more about what’s involved in construction and its impact on the local community. If you have a question that isn't answered below, email the project team at contactus@downtowntampagrid.com or call (813) 607-GRID (4743).

Q: What is the purpose for the project?

A:

The purpose of the roadway and infrastructure improvements is twofold: to improve the flow of traffic through southern downtown Tampa while also creating the streetscapes that are inviting to pedestrians and cyclists.

Q: Where is the project located?

A:

The roadway and infrastructure improvements will be done in southern downtown Tampa, south of the Selmon Expressway and west of Meridian Avenue.

Q: When does the project begin?

Q: What work was done on Channelside Drive in summer 2015?

A:

In summer 2015, the City of Tampa undertook initial infrastructure improvement work along Channelside Drive, which included new water and stormwater pipes as well as conduits for cable providers and TECO. Because the City of Tampa did this work, Channelside Drive will remain partially open throughout construction, minimizing impact to the local community.

Q: How long will the roadway and infrastructure improvements take to complete?

A:

The roadway and infrastructure improvements will be phased over the next 18 months and is scheduled to be complete at the end of 2017.

Q: What hours of the day will construction be done?

A:

Work will typically take place between 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on week days. Some work will be done at night and on weekends when traffic is at a minimum, and the contractor will work to ensure that noise generated on the jobsite is kept to a minimum.

Q: What roadways will be impacted and how?

A:

The roadway and infrastructure improvements begin in late August 2016. Construction will begin along Morgan Street and Channelside Drive. North-South and East-West connections will be maintained throughout construction with the goal of minimizing impacts to the surrounding community.

Channelside Drive improvements will be completed before construction moves north, to begin on Cumberland Avenue. Improvements along Morgan Street, which runs north-south through downtown Tampa, will be completed before Jefferson Street is impacted; and, Jefferson Street improvements will be completed before construction continues east to Nebraska.

Q: When the roadways reopen will they be in their final design?

A:

The priority throughout construction is to minimize impacts to the surrounding communities. In order to do that, roadways will reopen in configurations that are not final in order to allow for the flow of traffic. Some streetscape improvements will be complete once the parcel has been fully developed.

Q: What groups are involved with the construction process?

A:

In addition to the City of Tampa and the developer, Strategic Property Partners, Kimmins Contracting Corporation is the Construction Manager with Stantec serving as Master Engineer.

Q: Where is the funding for the project coming from?

A:

The City of Tampa through the Community Redevelopment Agency and Hillsborough County will reimburse the developer for improvements made which benefit the general public, such as the roadway and infrastructure improvements.

Q: When is the final project supposed to be finished?

A:

The roadway and infrastructure improvements will be complete at the end of 2017. Phase 1 of the development project which includes the University of South Florida Morsani School of Medicine and Heart Health Institute, as well as a new hotel and other office and retail uses will be complete and delivered to market by 2020.

Q: What type of delays would impact construction?

A:

A variety of delays can impact construction including, but not limited to, weather conditions. The contractor will work diligently to stay on schedule and to minimize impacts to the schedule through strategic planning.

Q: If there are last minute changes in the construction schedule, where is the fastest place to find that information?

A:

This website will be updated with new information in regards to construction schedules, road closures, and other community impacts over the course of development. Alternatively, the electronic newsletter, which you can sign up for on this website, will deliver the same information on construction schedules and local impacts directly to your email.

Q: What information is provided in the newsletter?

A:

The electronic newsletter will include the most up to date information related to the development. You can sign up for it here.

Q: When the buildings are being constructed, will roads be closed again?

A:

As vertical construction begins, there will be closures and community impacts related to that construction. The contractors responsible will do all they can to minimize impacts to the surrounding community. This website will also be updated with the appropriate information on all community impacts related to the development.

Q: How many square feet are included in the development and what will be built?

A:

When all three phases of the project are completed, the development will be up to 9,000,000 square feet of commercial, residential, educational, entertainment, cultural, and retail space with a total investment exceeding $2 billion.

Q: Who do we contact if we have any issues, questions or concerns?

A:

Please contact the project team directly at contactus@downtowntampagrid.com or call us at (813) 607-GRID (4743).

Q: Will the construction for roadway and infrastructure improvements interfere with accessing the Amalie Arena, Channelside Bay Plaza, parks and cultural assets within the area?

A:

Access to Amalie Arena, Channelside Bay Plaza, Cotanchobee Park, the History Museum, and the Florida Aquarium will be maintained throughout the construction. Visitors are encouraged to allow for extra time and to check this website for up-to-date information.

Q: I have tickets to a Lightning game, Storm game or concert at Amalie Arena. How will this project affect my travel to the arena and parking for events?

A:

Any guests of Amalie Arena events are encouraged to visit amaliearena.com/downtowndevelopment for game and event-specific updates. This page will be updated with any information that patrons and fans need to know throughout the project. Any fans or Season Ticket Members with questions should contact the arena by email at downtowninfo@amaliearena.com.

Q: How will the streetcar get affected by the roadway and infrastructure improvements?

A:

The streetcar is not anticipated to be impacted by the roadway and infrastructure improvements at this time.